Microsoft’s new operating system strikes a balance between security, productivity, and collaboration for people to thrive and organizations to prosper in a hybrid work environment.
Employees are moving between office, home, and field locations more frequently, and adaptation of digital tools has accelerated exponentially. So has productivity. Lenovo’s global study, "The Future of Work and Digital Transformation," found most remote employees get more work done and feel most productive working from home.1
However, this increase in productivity comes with a price. Cybersecurity threats and data breaches are rising at unprecedented rates in remote work environments, according to the 2021 IBM Data Breach Report.2 The report found compromised credentials and remote online work activities contributed to the highest average cost of data breaches in over 17 years.
Migrating to Windows 11 Pro for Business provides IT teams smarter technology to protect their organizations against cybersecurity threats. It’s designed to enhance the user experience of a hybrid workforce with new productivity and collaboration features.
Productivity: Create a better work experience for mobile people
Lenovo keeps the hybrid workforce humming with computing power, mobility, and durable devices that empower IT leaders to deliver smarter technology solutions. Plus, Windows 11 improves the remote work experience with device portability, system reliability, and features that boost productivity and collaboration.3
New functions to enhance the user experience and declutter the screen:
- Hero start screen. Intuitive navigation enables users to do more, faster
- Windows widgets. See snapshot views of schedules, emails, task lists, and other tools
- Visual cues. Resizes apps to fit various screen sizes
Multitasking tools and automation improve productivity:
- Snap groups and snap layouts. Organize and open apps, programs, or windows that are used together
- Desktops. Makes it easier to multitask and organize screens for work projects and home life
- Microsoft Power Automate. Automates workflows and simplifies reporting, data entry, and scheduling
Integration of Microsoft Teams makes it easy for people to communicate, share information, and collaborate from any work location. Windows 11 will also soon support Android apps and interface with smartphones.
- Instantly connect with contacts by text, chat, voice, or video
- Share files and connect with contacts using Windows, Android, or iOS platforms
- Instantly mute and unmute audio and start presentations from the taskbar
- Manage distractions while collaborating with intelligent noise canceling and background blur
Security: Protect company data, assets, and users
The mobility of a hybrid workforce puts data in motion across more networks, making speed and security critical priorities for IT leaders. The Windows 11 operating system was designed to address the needs of a remote IT organization and supports seamless migration from Windows 10:
Secure company data and assets faster
- Virtualization-based security (VBS) and hypervisor-enforced code integrity (HVCI) safeguard the operating system and information stored in memory
- Cloud-managed security updates provide more control of updates, from anywhere, by deploying the latest security, drivers, and firmware to all enterprise devices simultaneously
Protect the privacy, assets, and data used by distributed teams
- Security by default ensures new devices do not need to be configured; get built-in security protections right out of the box
- Windows Security automatically downloads upgrades to continuously scan for malicious software, viruses, and cybersecurity threats
- Microsoft Defender Antivirus (formerly Windows Defender) provides privacy settings and tracking prevention technology to manage how websites track user data
- Secure Boot and Encryption protect devices with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip
Secure assets and protect data with password-free authentication
- Windows Hello uses infrared cameras to support facial recognition
- Quantum Matcher authenticates fingerprints with a match-on-chip fingerprint reader
- Bluetooth Authentication supports two-step authentication
- Intel® Authenticate secures passwords and PINs
Four ways to get the most from Windows 11 in a hybrid work environment
Moving to Windows 11 will feel more like an update than a major upgrade. Here are four ways to gain buy-in and manage a more seamless system migration:
- Review the technical requirements of the operating system; validate compatibility with your fleet and business-critical applications.
- Understand the user experience and observe where and how your workforce interacts with the current operating system. Talk to teams across your organization to learn the digital experiences employees, customers, and suppliers want and need in a hybrid environment and troubleshoot with teams to address pain points.
- Collaborate by forming a multifunctional team to plan and support the rollout and help IT teams coordinate employee communication and training. Consider involving functional experts from IT, security, sales, marketing, human resources, facilities, and operations.
- Enhance productivity and security with virtual training modules and written manuals to show employees how to work more securely and get the most from Windows 11.
Get support for a smooth transition
Whether you’re upgrading an enterprise fleet or ordering new ThinkPad® X1 devices preloaded with Windows 11, Lenovo’s Microsoft-certified experts help organizations evaluate compatibility and develop a seamless Windows 11 migration strategy.
- Check compatibility and learn tips for a seamless Windows 11 migration.
- Visit our website anytime to learn more and ask us anything!
Sources
1 Lenovo, “The Future of Work and Digital Transformation” report, 2021
2 IBM, “Cost of a Data Breach Report,” 2021
3 Microsoft, “Introducing Windows 11,” June 2021
Additional information courtesy of Microsoft, Information Technology & Security Hybrid Quick Start Guide, 2021
